Millers v York City

26 February 2013

Rotherham 1 v 1 York - Report

The Millers made one change to the side that beat Bristol Rovers, with Kieran Agard replacing the injured Daniel Kearns. Meanwhile, Michael O’Connor returned from suspension and took up a place on the bench.

Chances were few and far between early in the match with a tame Ashley Chambers effort the only real moment of note in the first 15 minutes. At the other end, Kari Arnason could only head over from Daniel Nardiello’s cross, and Lee Frecklington fired wide from a free-kick after Agard was felled on the left-hand side.

On the half-hour mark, Jason Walker had the best opportunity of the game as he found room behind the Millers defence and although he beat Warrington, his shot cannoned off the crossbar. As the half wore on it was the visitors who continued to probe and Matty Blair caused problems as his run down the left saw him bypass Claude Davis in the area before poking just wide.

Meanwhile the Millers’ first real effort on target saw David Boble lift a free-kick over the wall, but Michael Ingham parried it out comfortably for a corner kick.

Half-time

Millers 0-0 York City

The second-half began in a much better fashion to the first with both sides upping the tempo at New York. Noble had Ingham backtracking with a cross to the far post and Revell got the last touch, deflecting Arnason’s long throw wide under pressure.

Johnny Mullins then almost made it two goals in two home games with a header at the near post but the ball bounced just the wrong side of the post. A minute later and the Millers should have been behind but for a sublime save by Andy Warrington. Walker lofted a ball over the top for Blair who found himself in acres of space, and when he opened up his body looking for the far-post, stretched himself to parry clear.

However, six minutes later and a ball fired in from the right found Blair again behind the defence and after checking that he was onside, he showed plenty of composure to round Warrington and roll the ball into an empty net.

The Millers went a little more direct with the introduction of Kayode Odejayi, but not before Arnason was denied twice. First by a deflection from his free-kick and then by Ingham saving when he could and should have done better with his free header.

Ben Pringle and Jordan Slew were introduced to the fold and the former almost helped towards an equaliser, but Ingham saved when his cross was diverted towards his own goal by former Miller Jack O’Connell.

Frecklington had two half chances that were put wide before the equaliser was finally handed to the home side. Great play by Pringle down the left resulted in a cross to Nardiello who had time to control and poke home from six yards out.